Hoist with an elastic cable

Abstract

A hoist for loads that includes an elongated upright support assembly and an elongated extending support assembly pivotally mounted to the upper end of the former. The free end of the elongated radially extending assembly being able to follow a curved path in a horizontal plane. An elastic cable is attached to a non-elastic cable that is wound in a spool assembly so that the equilibrium point for the tool or equipment load can be adjusted at a vertical point. The spool is driven by an electric motor that in turn is activated by the wireless transmission of signals for winding and unwinding. These signals are produced when the tension at the end of the elastic cable attached to the load falls outside a predetermined range.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for lifting a load, comprising: A. elongated upright support means having upper and lower ends;   B. elongated radially extending support means having first and second ends and said first end being mounted to said upper end;   C. an elastic cable having first and second ends and the second end of said elastic cable being attached to said load;   D. a non-elastic cable having first and second ends and the first end of said non-elastic cable being attached to the first end of said elastic cable; and   E. spool means for winding said second end of said non-elastic cable.   
     
     
       2. The device set forth in claim 1 further including: F. means for driving said spool means.   
     
     
       3. The device set forth in claim 2 wherein said means driving said spool means is capable of rotating in both directions. 
     
     
       4. The device set forth in claim 2 further including: G. force sensing means attached between the second end of said elastic cable means and said load and said force sensing means that the tension applied by the weight of said load is sensed by said force sensing means further including output means for producing one of two unique outputs when the tension force applied to the second end of said elastic cable falls outside a predetermined range of tensions.   
     
     
       5. The device set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for driving said spool means includes an electric motor further including: H. means for detecting said outputs connected to said force sensing means; and   I. means for driving said electric motor connected to said means for detecting said outputs so that said electric motor is activated to wind and unwind said non-elastic cable until the tension force applied to the second end of said elastic cable falls within said predetermined range.   
     
     
       6. The device set forth in claim 5, further including: J. transmitter means connected to said means for detecting said outputs; and   K. receiver means connected to said means for driving said electric motor so that the transmission of said outputs is wireless between said transmitter and receiver means.